RE: Active SETI Is Not Scientific Research

[Reeve, Jack W.]

I wryly note the massive volume of speculation perpetually raging on all
regions of the space-alien sphere of thought.

Some see panspermian-spawned humanoids, some see robots, some see gods
or demons.  Some see galactic bliss, some see extinction.

All I see are a bunch of singularities hurtling toward us, all set to
coincide about 2018 - 2020 or so, beyond which, I am happy to assure one
and all, not a soul amongst us has any inkling of what approaches.

A case in point in the here and now is the existence of the internet -
unforeseen before its current ubiquity.

As we race toward the phenomenon of the technological advancement line
going vertical, things are going to get very murky.  Using the 365 days
of the year 2000 as a base tech year, 2020 is likely 400-1000 tech years
from now - 2100 is perhaps 20,000 - 100,000 tech years away.

For me there is no meaningful speculation of events on the other side of
this unprecedented horizon.  Only awe and wonder.  And joy at being here
to bear witness.

Jack W Reeve
Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia

-----Original Message-----
From: Gary McMurtry [mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED] 
Sent: Monday, February 07, 2005 4:50 AM
To: europa@klx.com
Subject: Re: Active SETI Is Not Scientific Research


A bit off topic, but interesting op-ed.  I didn't know about SETI 
being active; I thought it was mostly passive, a much safer approach. 
Personally, I'm wildly optimistic that SETI will never achieve its 
goals.  Therefore, there's no need to get worked up about aliens 
visiting us with mal intent, although the concept is great fodder for 
entertaining science fiction (War of the Worlds, etc., etc.).  If you 
have no opinion or disagree, please read "Rare Earth" by Peter Ward 
and David Brownlee and get back to me.

One last thought: any civilization capable of responding would likely 
not be too interested in us.  I mean, really, what do we have to 
offer?  Some pretty glass beads?  People are so full of themselves.

Gary
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